>>>Based on information we have received from the owner, the cow was born and raised in a herd in Texas and was approximately 12 years old.<<<

>>>We are also interested in any of this animal's offspring that were born within the last 2 years.<<<

>>>"The source herd is now under a hold order as we identify animals of interest within the herd. Consistent with OIE guidelines, animals of interest would include any other animals that were born the same year as this animal, as well as any born the year before and the year after.<<<

>>>Given the animal's age, we believe it was most likely infected by consuming feed prior to the implementation of the ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban in 1997. <<<

o.k., let me get this straight.

they figure the cow is 12 years old.

they figure the cow consumbed tainted ruminant feed BEFORE the partial and voluntary 8/4/97 feed ban that most did not adhere too and others simply did not know about.

could be the cow and it's cohorts and or offsprings consumbed this tainted feed way back to early 1990, years and years before this feed ban.

WHY then are they only going back just a year or two for traceback of offspring and cohorts and feed this animal consumbed, and all other animals that consumbed this same product?

>>>"Experience worldwide has shown us that it is highly unusual to find BSE in more than one animal in a herd or in an affected animal's offspring<<<

A BSE case born in May 2002BSE has been diagnosed in a Holstein Friesian cross cow, born on 1 May2002. The case was identified under the current compulsory testingprogramme for all animals born after 31 July 1996 slaughtered as cohorts ofconfirmed BSE cases. This animal was included in the cohort of the BSEcase born on 3 October 2001 on the same farm and confirmed on 1 March2005. This case born on 1 May 2002 was born on the same farm in Dyfedand it remained on this farm until it was submitted for slaughter on 12 May2005. Disease was officially confirmed on 27 May 2005. The animal wasaged 36 months at slaughter.This is the most recently born case of BSE confirmed in the UK. The previousmost recent case was the related case born on 3 October 2001.Another case born on the same farm on 28 September 2001 has beenconfirmed on 27 May 2005 in the same cohort. This is the first time that theUK has confirmed three cases born after July 1996 with the same farm oforigin. Defra will be following up detailed epidemiological analysis of thiscase.This case is being drawn to the attention of SEAC and Professor William Hill.Professor Hill is currently carrying out an independent assessment of thepossible causes of BSE cases born after the reinforced feed ban of August1996 (BARBs) at the request of Defra.